It may be springtime but county health officials want to let you know whooping cough is still active in the county.

“The highly contagious respiratory illness can spread easily through the air in close quarters such as schools and other public settings and that’s why we recommend that parents not skip immunizations,” Eric McDonald, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Public Health Officer said in a written statement.

Pertussis typically starts with a cough and runny nose for one to two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound.

If there is a fever, it is usually mild. The disease is treatable with antibiotics.

For more information about whooping cough and ongoing vaccination clinics, call the HHSA Immunization Branch at (866) 358-2966.